Exercise your right...elect the best...and strengthen democracy in Iraq

27-08-2025

The Legal Forum on Elections

The Department of Legal Studies at Baytal-Hikma, in cooperation with the Department of Political Studies and the Independent High Electoral Commission, organized the Legal Forum on Elections under the slogan “Exercise Your Right… Vote for the Best… and Strengthen Democracy in Iraq” on Tuesday, August 27, 2025, at Al-Khwarizmi Hall, with the presence of the Chairman of Baytal-Hikma’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Qahtan Neama Al-Khafaji.

The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ezzedine Al-Mohammadi, Supervisor of the Legal Studies Department, and the session rapporteur was Assistant Lecturer Ali Hussein Shihab, Director of the Scientific Coordination and Follow-up Division at Baytal-Hikma.

The forum highlighted the importance of adhering to the law during elections to ensure fairness and transparency, enabling a peaceful transfer of power in Iraq. Elections, as emphasized, are the cornerstone of any democratic system and represent the primary tool through which citizens choose their representatives. Thus, they are not only a right but also a national duty.

Several thematic papers were presented by a distinguished group of academics. Prof. Dr. Al-Hassan Qabas, Head of the Relations Division at the Independent High Electoral Commission, delivered a paper on the crucial role of electoral participation in consolidating democracy in Iraq. He underlined citizens’ right to express their will and select their representatives, which provides legitimacy to elected leaders and institutions, strengthens responsiveness to public needs, and builds trust in the democratic process—contributing to societal stability.

Prof. Dr. Abdul-Salam Ibrahim Baghdadi, Professor of Graduate Studies in Political Science at Al-Imam Al-Kadhim College, presented a study on the national and legal standards for choosing the most suitable candidate. He compared examples from global democracies, highlighting essential qualities required in candidates such as patriotism, integrity, and competence.

Ms. Nibras Ahmed Ibrahim, a member of the Women’s Electoral Support Team, presented a paper on the importance of youth and women’s participation in elections. She reviewed the measures adopted by the Commission, in cooperation with ministries, government institutions, and civil society organizations, to raise awareness and promote participation—focusing on legal, security, media, and motivational aspects. She also discussed the tangible outcomes of these initiatives and campaigns.

Dr. Waleed Kasid Al-Zaidi from the College of Arts, Imam Al-Sadiq University, presented a research paper on the importance of electoral reform as a means of enhancing trust in elections. He stressed its role in ensuring electoral success and increasing voter turnout. Electoral reform, he noted, involves a comprehensive process of updating laws, systems, and procedures related to elections, thereby strengthening credibility and transparency. He outlined key areas of reform, including electoral law and related legislation, the electoral system and district distribution, campaign regulations and financial spending, restructuring the Commission, and the proposal of a comprehensive electoral code of conduct.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees highlighted Baytal-Hikma’s active scientific and research contributions through its departments in addressing issues of societal concern at all levels, in line with the government program. He emphasized the institution’s commitment to providing scientific studies that support informed decision-making for the concerned authorities.

At the conclusion, he presented certificates of appreciation to the participating researchers, commending the continued collaboration of academic and scientific elites with Baytal-Hikma.

The forum concluded with an interactive dialogue among participating researchers and specialized academics, who enriched the discussions with their insights and feedback.

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